Earl E. Cridge

Mr. Earl E. Cridge Jr., 80, of Morris, Ill., and formerly of Oglesby, Ill., and Utica, Ill., passed away with his loving family at his bedside late Tuesday evening, April 23, 2013, in Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Ill.

Born June 8, 1932, in Peru, Ill., the son of Earl E. and Madeline Pellican Cridge Sr., he received his education in the schools of La Salle and graduated from LaSalle High School with the Class of 1950.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Japan and South Korea.

He was married to Diana Sell and she preceded him in death on Dec. 2, 1970.

Earl was employed as a union electrician with the Illinois Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #176 in Joliet for over 36 years, retiring in 1994.

He married Norma J. Cain on Dec. 15, 1985 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Together with his wife, he loved to travel in their motorhome, and has wintered for the last 14 years in Harlingen, Texas. Earl was a Chicago Bulls fan; loved his three dogs, Chloe, Maggie and Beard; and enjoyed watching old western movies and spending time visiting with his many friends and family, along with being a grandfather and taking in their many activities.

He was a member of Morris American Legion Post #294 and the Good Sam Camping Club.

Surviving is his loving wife of over 28 years, Norma, and their six children, Debbie, and her husband Walter Meister, of Wisconsin; Mary Cridge and Elaine Cridge, both of La Salle, IL.; Earl E. Cridge III of Chicago; Cindy, and her husband Jerry Carlson, and Terri Sue Cain of Morris.

He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jason and Diane Meister, Michelle (Herb) Grogg, Marcus (Susie) Stuckey, and Kyleigh, Heather and Richard Cain; nine great-grandchildren, Megan, Dani, Damon, Trevor, Samara, Olivia, DeAnna, Connie and Herbie; two great-great-grandchildren, Ethan and Mallorie; along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his parents; his first wife; one daughter, Cindy Cridge; one son, Rick Cain; and one sister, Phyllis Posey.

The family will receive friends on Friday April 26, from 5 p.m. until the time of Military Honors conducted by the Morris Color Guard at 7 p.m. in U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris.

Cremation rites will follow at the Schultz Crematory in Streator, Ill.

Preferred form of remembrance would be memorial gifts directed to the family for distribution to local charities of their choosing at a later date.

Condolences can be extended to Earl’s family at www.ucdavisandsons.com.